Blank for decorator&#39;s tool

ABSTRACT

The decorator&#39;s graining tool (1) is formed from a flat blank (8), which can be wrapped around and secured to itself so as to form the tool in the form of a tubular body having a plurality of teeth (2) at one end and an arcuate convex face (3) at the other end, the convex face forming the outer surface of the tubular body and having a plurality of spaced ridge formations thereon (4). The ridge formations (4) may comprise either a series of undulating ridges (5) and furrows (6), or, alternatively, smooth ridges and furrows in which the formations (4) are concentric about an intermediate point (7) of the convex face (3).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a blank for a decorator's tool and, inparticular, to blank for a tool for applying an imitation woodgrainfinish to a surface.

It is known to create imitation woodgrains on a surface usingspecialised tools to create the grain finish. Normally, at least twotools are required in order to achieve the desired effect. Existingtools consist of combs having teeth or the like which are used toestablish a continuous streaked or grained appearance on a paintedsubstrate, and a separate tool having a convex surface, with a series ofconcentric ridge formations on the convex surface, which can be used toselectively expose parts of the surface, so as to produce a simulatednatural woodgrain appearance on the surface. Using separate tools tocreate the woodgrain finish suffers from a number of drawbacks. Inparticular, it is necessary to frequently interchange the tools, whichis time consuming and often leads to an inconsistent finish. Frequently,the tools are purchased as a set, and subsequently, if one is misplaced,it is necessary to replace both tools, by purchasing a complete set. Inaddition, packaging of two separate tools in a box or the like requiresextra packaging space and packaging material, which adds to the totalcost of the product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the purpose of the present invention to alleviate such problemsand to provide a blank for a unitary, hand-holdable tool, suitable foruse by decorators in creating an imitation woodgrained finish on asurface.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is, therefore provided ablank for forming a decorator's tool, which blank can be wrapped aroundand secured to itself by securing means to form said tool, such thatsaid tool comprises at one end thereof a hollow body having a convexsurface with a plurality of spaced-apart proud formations (i.e., aplurality of spaced-apart ribs) on the convex surface and a plurality ofteeth formations at the other end of said tool. Thus, advantageously,both working surfaces needed to create the desired effect are providedin a single hand-held portable unit, which can be formed from an easilystorable blank, and either end may be held, as appropriate, when thetool is used to create the grained appearance.

The proud formations on the convex surface may comprise a series ofsubstantially concentric formations. Advantageously, the concentricformations comprise a series of alternating ridges and furrowsconcentric about a substantially intermediate point on the convexsurface of the tool. The tool can be rocked about the convex surface tocomplete a simulated natural woodgrained finish created by theconcentric ridges and furrows. Alternatively, the proud formations maybe more irregular, or may comprise a series of spaced ridges in the formof straight or wavy lines. It may be desirable to provide gaps in suchlines at spaced intervals (that is, the lines may be discontinuous).

Preferably, a plurality of apertures are positioned within thealternating ridges and furrows on the convex surface of the tool. Thus,a build-up of excess woodgraining material within the furrows may besubstantially alleviated as the material can pass into the interior ofthe tubular body of the tool, thus facilitating cleaning of the tool andcollection of the excess material when such material has passed throughthe apertures on the convex surface, to the inside of the hollow body ofthe tool, during the woodgraining process.

In one embodiment of the invention, the teeth formations may be on aseparate attachment which can be secured to the tool. The teethformations on the separate attachment may also function as the securingmeans of the tool which advantageously fits over the ends of the blankwhen wrapped around itself to form the tool. In another embodiment, theteeth formations may be on one or both ends of the blank which forms thetool. Where the teeth are on both ends of the blank, two sets of teethformations may be provided which advantageously may be orientated insubstantially opposite directions on the tool.

Advantageously, the distance between each of the teeth correspondssubstantially to the distance between each of the proud formationssituated on the convex surface. Thus, when the teeth have been used toproduce a veined appearance on the surface, the ridges on the convexsurface, when rocked about the convex surface, complete the continuousnatural grained finish. Typically, the tips of the teeth comprise acontact edge extending for about 2-5 mm on each side of the teeth. Thus,advantageously, either side of the teeth can be used in eitherdirection, eliminating confusion as to which side of the tool is to beused. Typically, the teeth and ridge formations are between 2-10 mmapart.

In a preferred embodiment, the teeth formations, the convex surface andthe proud formations all together comprise a unitary integral moulding.

In another embodiment, the proud formations may be on a separatemoulding attachment, releasably engageable with the blank whichcomprises the base of the tool. This would allow imitation woodgrains ofdifferent size and shape to be created by the same tool.

Typically, the securing means comprise complementary jointing formationssuch as a dovetail joint, or pop studs releasably engageable withreception apertures on the blank. In the latter case, further receptionapertures may be provided in series along the length of the blank toreceive such pop studs, serving to maintain the blank in its properconfiguration. Alternative securing means comprise adhesive (for exampledouble-sided adhesive tape). Thus, advantageously, the diameter of theconvex surface of the tool may be varied, thus creating grains ofdifferent size and shape.

Connection means may also be provided to connect the mould attachment tothe tool; the connection means may comprise pop studs releasablyengageable with reception apertures of the type as described formaintaining the blank in the tool configuration.

The blank may be made of any suitably stiff material, but which issufficiently flexible to allow the blank to be wrapped around, ordoubled over on itself, without snapping. The material used for theblank may comprise a suitable plastics material, which is sufficientlyflexible and lightweight, and thus easily portable.

In one embodiment of the invention, the blank is substantially flat, andmay have a plurality of fold lines along its length such that when theblank is wrapped around itself along the fold lines it forms the tool.Alternatively, the blank may be stepped in cross section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more clearly understood from the followingdescription of an embodiment thereof, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool made from a blank according tothe invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of an alternative convex surface for theblank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a flat blank according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a section along the line A--A of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a detailed sectional view of the connected ends of theassembled tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of tool formed froma blank according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a blank which forms the tool of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a section along the line B--B of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of tool formedfrom a blank according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a blank which can form the tool shownin FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative blank which can form thetool shown in FIG. 9.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown a graining tool for use bydecorators, which tool is indicated generally by the referencenumeral 1. The tool comprises a plurality of teeth 2, and an arcuateconvex surface 3, having a plurality of spaced ridge formations 4 whichcomprise a series of undulating ridges 5 and furrows 6. (An alternativearrangement with smooth ridges and furrows is illustrated in FIG. 2, inwhich the formations 4 are concentric about an intermediate point 7 ofthe convex surface 3 of the tool.) The tool 1 is substantiallypear-shaped in cross-section. The end of the tool having the convexsurface 3 is hollow.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, there is illustrated a blank 8, which formsthe graining tool 1. The blank 8 is folded over and secured to itselfsuch that the ridge formations 4 are on the outer convex surface of thetool 1. Studs 9 are provided on an end 10 of the blank 8, for engagingwith reception apertures 11 on the opposite end of the blank 8. Afurther series of apertures 12 is interspaced between the furrows 6 ofthe outer convex surface of the tool 1, the apertures serving toalleviate build-up of excess graining material (not shown) during thegraining process, the excess graining material passing through theapertures 12 into the space 14 (shown in FIG. 1) which is formed whenthe blank 8 is folded over upon itself to form the tool 1.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, and initially to FIG. 6, there is illustratedan alternative embodiment of a graining tool 11. The blank 8 which formsthe tool (as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) comprises fold lines 20 and 21spaced along the length of the blank. Fold line 20 separates concavesurfaces 23 and 24, and fold line 21 separates concave surfaces 24 and25. When surfaces 23 and 25 are folded about their respective fold lines20 and 21, the ends 26 and 27 are brought together to form the tool 11.When the tool 11 is formed, the concave surface 24 can be pushedoutwardly to form the convex surface 22 of the tool 11. The ends 26 and27 can be secured by pop studs (not shown) on one end of the toolengaging with complementary apertures on the other end in the same wayas for the embodiment of FIG. 1 described above. Alternatively, the endscan be secured by a separate attachment (not shown), which fits over theends 26 and 27 of the tool. The separate attachment 30 provides theteeth formations 31.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, there is illustrated a further embodiment ofthe graining tool 51. The blank 8 which forms the tool is shown in FIGS.10 and 11. The blank 8 in FIG. 10 is stepped, having a surface 40connected to a stepped surface 41 by a first intermediate web 42. Thestepped surface 41 is connected to a further surface 43 by a secondintermediate web member 44. Teeth formations 47 and 48 are orientedsubstantially upwardly with respect to the surfaces 40 and 43respectively. The blank is folded about fold lines 45 and 46 on thestepped surface to form the tool 51, the teeth formations 47 and 48being oriented on the tool 51 in substantially opposite directions. Thesurfaces 40 and 43 are secured to one another by complementary engagingformations, such as a dovetail joint (not shown) or alternatively byadhesive tape or the like. The blank 8 shown in FIG. 11 forms the sametool 51 but is substantially flat in cross section.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore describedbut may be varied in both construction and detail.

I claim:
 1. A blank for forming a decorator's tool, comprising:(a) abody member comprised of a flexible sheet having a first, flatconfiguration and a second, rolled configuration providing a hollowbody, said flexible sheet being transformable from said first, flatconfiguration to said second, rolled configuration by a rolling action,said body member including:(i) a first face being an outer face whensaid flexible sheet is in said second, rolled configuration, and, (ii) asecond face being an inner face when said flexible sheet is in saidsecond, rolled configuration; (b) a plurality of spaced-apart ribs beingprovided on said first face, wherein said hollow body has said pluralityof spaced-apart ribs on an outer, convex surface of said hollow body;(c) a plurality of teeth formations provided at a first end of said bodymember; and, (d) complementary reception means provided at a second endof said body member, said complementary reception means being engageablewith said plurality of teeth formations.
 2. The blank for forming adecorator's tool according to claim 1, wherein said plurality ofspaced-apart ribs comprise a series of substantially concentricformations.
 3. The blank for forming a decorator's tool according toclaim 2, wherein said substantially concentric formations comprise aseries of alternating ridges and furrows concentric about asubstantially intermediate point on the convex surface of said bodymember.
 4. The blank for forming a decorator's tool according to claim2, wherein said plurality of spaced-apart ribs comprise a series ofspaced-apart alternating ridges and furrows, said ridges being in theform of wavy lines.
 5. The blank for forming a decorator's toolaccording to claim 4, wherein said wavy lines are discontinuous.
 6. Theblank for forming a decorator's tool according to claim 4, wherein saidseries of spaced-apart alternating ridges and furrows are on said convexsurface and include a plurality of apertures within said ridges andfurrows.
 7. The blank for forming a decorator's tool according to claim1, wherein said plurality of teeth formations is on a separateattachment and is secured to said body member.
 8. The blank for forminga decorator's tool according to claim 7, wherein said separateattachment having said plurality of teeth formations comprises securingmeans.
 9. The blank for forming a decorator's tool according to claim 1,wherein the distance between individual teeth of said plurality of teethformations is substantially equal to the distance between successivesaid spaced-apart ribs on said convex surface of said body member. 10.The blank for forming a decorator's tool according to claim 9, whereinsaid individual teeth and said spaced-apart ribs are 2 to 10 mm apart.11. The blank for forming a decorator's tool according to claim 9,wherein said individual teeth have tips comprising a contact edgeextending for 2 to 5 mm on each side of said individual teeth.
 12. Theblank for forming a decorator's tool according to claim 1, wherein saidplurality of teeth formations, said convex surface of said body memberand said plurality of spaced-apart ribs all together comprise a unitaryintegral molding.
 13. The blank for forming a decorator's tool accordingto claim 1, wherein said plurality of spaced-apart ribs are on aseparate molding, releasably engaged with said hollow body.
 14. Theblank for forming a decorator's tool according to claim 13, furthercomprising attachment means for securing said molding to saiddecorator's tool.
 15. The blank for forming a decorator's tool accordingto claim 14, wherein said attachment means comprise pop studs releasablyengaged with reception apertures.
 16. The blank for forming adecorator's tool according to claim 1, wherein said blank issubstantially flat in cross-section and has a plurality of fold linesalong its length, so that when said blank is wrapped around along saidfold lines, said blank is able to form said decorator's tool.
 17. Theblank for forming a decorator's tool according to claim 1, wherein saidblank is stepped in cross-section and has a plurality of fold lines, sothat when said blank is wrapped around along said fold lines, said blankis able to form said decorator's tool.